PONTYPOOL passed their toughest test of the WRU Championship season when they edged out Bedlinog, but Leighton Jones knows another difficult assignment awaits his men tomorrow.

A 13-10 defeat of the Foxes at Pontypool Park last weekend saw the Gwent outfit preserve their unblemished record with an eighth straight win.

Nine points clear of Tata Steel and Narberth, leaders Pooler head to Newcastle Emlyn today (kick-off 2.30pm) looking to continue their excellent start to the campaign.

“Last week’s game was tough,” said Jones. “They asked questions of us and we had to dig deep.

“Bedlinog was definitely our toughest game of the season so far.

“They were good at what they did and asked us questions that we haven’t really been asked this season, but the boys showed good character and stood up to the test.”

He added: “We looked back at the footage and have worked on some things which didn’t go for us.

“We probably had five or six scoring opportunities in the first half and our handling and decision making let us down.

“We want to put them right ahead of a difficult trip to Newcastle Emlyn.

“They are very strong at home. They like to play a running game but have also got a couple of big forwards.

“We’re not really concentrating on the eight from eight, we’re taking it one game at a time.”

Jones will give fitness tests to several of his squad before today’s match, but number eight Ben Sparks is definitely out with a wrist injury.

Former forwards coach Jones, who took over from Louie Tonkin as head coach in May, is enjoying life in the Pooler hotseat.

“We’ve got a new coaching set-up and new players and it has been really encouraging so far,” he said.

Down at the bottom of the Championship, Newbridge go to Beddau today (2.30pm) bidding to climb off the foot of the table.

Victory for ‘Bridge could see them shoot up the standings but Beddau are one of the division’s form teams with five consecutive wins.